The story is about a man who was treated honourably and who then acted honourably. If the iron master and his daughter had not been kind to the peddler after they discovered he was not who they thought he was, How do you think the peddler would have reacted? How would a story have ended?
At the start of the story, the peddler is cynical and opportunistic. He has a difficult lot in life, and takes whatever he can get and trusts no one. He even steals money from the crofter after the old man offers him his hospitality.
